Advertisement

Arne Slot will have double transfer decision to make this summer as duo eye Liverpool role

Tyler Morton and Fábio Carvalho during a Liverpool training session last summer.
Tyler Morton and Fábio Carvalho during a Liverpool training session last summer. -Credit:Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images


Liverpool has had a big few months when it comes to decision-making. With Jürgen Klopp departing, the Reds have had to come to terms with his exit and find a plan for the future — but the significant calls will not stop here.

The most crucial decisions are usually transfer-related, which is why there was such fanfare over Michael Edwards' return. He and Richard Hughes, the club's new sporting director, already have a squad there that looks ready to take the next step but that could be further bolstered by those returning from loans.

Fábio Carvalho and Tyler Morton both missed out on the play-off spots with Hull City but both have had good seasons. Under Liam Rosenior, one of the EFL's emerging young coaches, they have both impressed.

READ MORE: Liverpool has 'really cool' option waiting for Arne Slot who already proved he can be big boost

READ MORE: Liverpool could snap up $32m ace like Philippe Coutinho after 'working for months' on transfer

Morton went on loan to Hull first having spent a successful campaign last year with Blackburn Rovers. Prior to that, he had played for Liverpool as a young player, including in the Champions League. The question is whether the route to the first team is any clearer than it was last summer for Morton, now with more than 80 senior games to his name.

In the first half of the season, Carvalho struggled to get match time with RB Leipzig. It is only when he dropped down into the second tier in England that he managed to find his feet, which leaves a question mark over him as well.

At Hull, Carvalho has been unleashed in an attacking sense, scoring nine times and assisting another two in 20 appearances. Though he is unlikely to get the same kind of role — in terms of position or volume of minutes — at Anfield, his talent is clear.

"The way I see it, it’s a fresh start," Carvalho told the Liverpool ECHO this week. "Not just for me, but obviously whoever comes in. It’ll be a fresh start for me, and for the likes of Tyler (Morton) as well. We’ve just got to take the chances that come. Really grasp it and take it with both hands.

"Tyler and I have spoken (about about the summer). Especially after the news came out about Jürgen. We just spoke about what could potentially change at the club. Ultimately, it’s a fresh start for both of us. We’ll just go back there with nothing to lose and everything to gain."

There will be a decision to be made by Liverpool, though. With Stefan Bajčetić coming back from injury and Thiago Alcântara having hardly played this season, the midfield looks well-stocked.

And while there will be more games next season as the calendar gets even more congested, Harvey Elliott hasn't started as often as he would have liked this year and Bobby Clark has properly emerged as an option too. Arne Slot won't be short of players.

Both Morton and Carvalho are likely to be given the chance to prove themselves and how much they have developed when they return. But there is a decision to be made, by club and player, about whether there will be a sufficient amount of match time available. There might be a clean slate under Slot, but the same big decisions will still need to be resolved.